Antenna Calibration Using Single Probe and TRIZ Principles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing antenna evaluation apparatuses face challenges in accurately calibrating the phases and amplitudes of signals from scatterer antennas, leading to inefficiencies in generating precise fading environments, and require multiple probes for calibration, which is time-consuming and inaccurate.
Innovation Solution
An antenna evaluation apparatus with a controller that adjusts and calibrates the phases and amplitudes of signals from multiple scatterer antennas using calibration receiving antennas, allowing for precise control and storage of amplitude and phase shift values to achieve a predetermined multiple wave propagation state.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the near field calibration method is used to measure electromagnetic field near transmitting antennas, then radiation power can be calculated, but it requires successively placing probes near multiple scatterer antennas which is time-consuming and cannot calibrate phases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a single probe to measure electromagnetic fields from all scatterer antennas sequentially, then creates a composite calibration dataset that represents the entire system. This copying approach eliminates the need to physically relocate the probe between antennas, reducing calibration time while maintaining measurement accuracy through systematic data collection and processing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary calibration measurements by having each scatterer antenna transmit individually while the probe remains stationary. The system pre-captures the electromagnetic field characteristics from each antenna position, then combines these measurements to establish complete phase and amplitude calibration data before actual antenna evaluation begins.
2Reliability
If multiple probes are placed near scatterer antennas for calibration, then more complete calibration data can be obtained, but the device complexity and calibration time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes a single probe perform multiple functions by having it measure electromagnetic fields from all scatterer antennas in sequence. The same probe that would traditionally be dedicated to one antenna position is now universally used across all positions, eliminating the need for multiple probes while maintaining complete calibration coverage through systematic measurement protocols.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the calibration measurement function from a multi-probe system and concentrates it into a single probe. By removing the requirement for multiple simultaneous probes and using one probe to sequentially capture all necessary calibration data, the system simplifies hardware requirements while preserving calibration reliability through proper measurement sequencing and data synthesis.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach enhances the accuracy of antenna evaluation by simplifying the calibration process, reducing the need for multiple probes, and improving the evaluation of receiving antennas under various fading conditions.
Implementation Method 1
changing a phase and an amplitude of each of divided transmitting signals by a predetermined amplitude change amount and a predetermined phase shift amount, respectively
Implementation Method 2
radiates changed transmitting signals as radio waves from the scatterer antennas corresponding to the changed transmitting signals
Implementation Method 3
receives a multiple wave of radiated radio waves as a received signal by using a receiving antenna under evaluation and placed substantially at a center of the respective positions
Implementation Method 4
measures an amplitude and a phase of the received signal relative to the transmitting signal
Implementation Method 5
executes calibration to control the transmitter means so that the amplitudes of the received signals each measured by using a calibration receiving antenna instead of the receiving antenna under evaluation coincides with an identical target amplitude and the phases of the received signals each measured coincides with an identical target phase
Data Source
AI summary
A computer measures amplitudes and phases respective received signals S60a relative to a transmitting signal when radio waves are radiated solely from each of the scatterer antennas and received by using a calibration receiving antenna, determines a target amplitude based on measured amplitudes, and determines a target phase based on measured phases. Reference attenuation amount control voltages for respective attenuators are set to attenuation amount control voltages for making the measured amplitudes coincidence with an identical target amplitude, and a reference phase shift amount control voltage for each phase shifter is set to phase shift amount control voltages for making the measured phases coincidence with an identical target phase.